Skip to Main Content
Services Talent Knowledge
Site Search
Menu

SanjeevDevabhakthuni

He | Him | His

Partner

"Being a lawyer brings together many things I love: being in service to others, problem-solving, working with great teams, and lifelong learning."

Overview

Biography

Sanjeev is co-chair of Barclay Damon's Professional Liability Practice Area. He concentrates his practice on appellate advocacy, litigated tort defense, and insurance-coverage disputes. He represents individuals and businesses in defense matters ranging from simple accidents to complex exposure-related cases. Sanjeev also actively litigates insurance-coverage disputes in declaratory judgment actions throughout the country in the context of first-party loss and third-party liability claims.

A former appellate court attorney, Sanjeev has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts, including appeals before the NYS Appellate Division, the NY Court of Appeals, and the US Courts of Appeals for the Second and Sixth Circuits.

Sanjeev stays up to date on developments in local and national insurance law to provide clients, such as insurance company supervisors and managers and business owners, with quality legal services that align with their goals and that make situations less stressful.

In addition to his legal practice, Sanjeev serves as the firm's co–summer associate partner.

Bar Associations

  • Monroe County Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association, Diversity Committee

Selected Memberships & Affiliations

  • ARIAS-US
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Experience

Representative Experience

  • Obtained summary judgment dismissal of a lawsuit against an attorney alleging malpractice and violation of the Judiciary Law arising from judgment enforcement action.
  • Steiner v. Anbrook Indus.: Successfully defended an insurance company in federal court against a plaintiff alleging the insurer owed coverage under an insurance policy issued to a roofing contractor that performed allegedly defective work. The court agreed with the client's position that all claims should be dismissed pursuant to the “no direct action” doctrine
  • Successfully defended an appeal preserving judgment in excess of $1.3 million in a subrogation case (Hudson Specialty Insurance Company v. Haley & Aldrich, Inc.).
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissal of a products-liability lawsuit against a national department store (Hokenson v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.).
  • Successfully obtained declaratory judgment for a real estate development company, resulting in insurance coverage for the company in an underlying personal injury lawsuit.
  • Successfully prosecuted appeals to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department and secured summary judgment in favor of an insurance company where the client did not owe any duty to the injured plaintiff.
  • Obtained a favorable settlement for a client sued in Florida in a complex accounting malpractice case arising from criminal fraud perpetrated by the CEO of a national telecommunications company.
  • Successfully counseled clients regarding addressing and responding to subpoenas in various matters.
  • Successfully defended a dentist in a lawsuit by numerous minors alleging fraud and malpractice.
  • Successfully represented an accounting firm in enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) arising out of alleged violations of securities laws and generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Successfully obtained a summary judgment dismissal of a $1.2 million legal malpractice case arising from collection action.
  • Successfully defended an insurance company in NYS court against a plaintiff alleging the insurer owed coverage for a water loss under a property insurance policy.
  • Obtained multiple dismissals of claims from inmates against health care providers for deliberate indifference to medical needs and violating the US Constitution.

Prior Experience

  • Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, Associate
  • NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, Appellate Court Attorney

Selected Community Activities

  • Monroe County Volunteer Legal Services Project, Volunteer Attorney
  • Board Member, National Coalition Building Institute of Rochester, Inc.

Selected Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Insurance Law, 2022–2025; Litigation – Insurance, 2025; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2021–2025
  • Selected to Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising Stars: Appellate, 2021
  • The Daily Record, Excellence in Law Awards: Up & Coming Attorney, 2018
  • Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, William E. McKnight Award, 2014
  • New York State Bar Association, Empire State Counsel Honoree, 2013–2017

Featured Media

Alerts

Second Circuit Upholds New York State's Ivory Law, but Holds Display Restriction Unconstitutional

Alerts

$175 Million of Federal Funds Available for Electric Vehicle Chargers in New York State

Alerts

USFWS Issues Final Guidance on Northern Long-Eared Bat and Tricolored Bat

Alerts

IRS Guidance Excludes VA Service-Connected Disability Benefits From Certain Income Determinations for Qualified Residential Rental Projects

Alerts

Second Department: Objective Evidence Required to Establish Trivial Defect Defense

Alerts

NYS Department of Health Issues Consumer Protection Guidance on Payments for Health Care Services

This site uses cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site and in some cases direct advertisements to you based upon your use of our site.

By clicking [I agree], you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For information on what cookies we use and how to manage our use of cookies, please visit our Privacy Statement.

I AgreeOpt-Out